And hence, some of the selections of personnel and odd coaching decisions are no surprise either. Reap what you sow.
- savvyone-1

And an ignorance for the skill and talent that the other teams can put on the ice. Torts and Lombardi must think its 1975 and they can play the game like the Philly Flyers did.

Likely a "we already know what we've got in him" v. sitting for bad play?
- pdx2ord

Apparently Schmaltz was resting due to a minor injury.

And an ignorance for the skill and talent that the other teams can put on the ice. Torts and Lombardi must think its 1975 and they can play the game like the Philly Flyers did.
- RickJ

Those guys are pathetic.

Contrast that with the North American squad. And their speed.
Essentially missing (IMO) on the USA squad.
Very sad.

US National Team has been shut out in 3 straight games, going back to Sochi.
- StLBravesFan

That's what happens when every tournament they take less and less skilled guys who can score and go with big/slow guys in hope that physicality can beat Canada. It also doesn't help they've picked two not good coaches in a row.

Those guys are pathetic.

Contrast that with the North American squad. And their speed.
Essentially missing (IMO) on the USA squad.
Very sad.
- savvyone-1

Team NA probably hurt the USA, too. I don't know if they would have taken many of the young guys or if Torts would have played them, but I feel like Saad and Gaudreau would have had a chance. The former because he'd fit the current team and Torts' style anyway and Gaudreau due to the Brian Burke connection.

Team NA probably hurt the USA, too. I don't know if they would have taken many of the young guys or if Torts would have played them, but I feel like Saad and Gaudreau would have had a chance. The former because he'd fit the current team and Torts' style anyway and Gaudreau due to the Brian Burke connection.
- L_B_R

I highly doubt ol Torts would have taken many/any of those guys. Maybe 1 or 2 as you've said LBR. OTOH, I think it's great -- comparing the dinosaur/physical mentality against skill/speed. I have no problem either with big guys that have speed (so why did Buf get benched?) and there are several others I think should have been taken on the USA squad but instead we have a jackass leading the charge as head coach.

I highly doubt ol Torts would have taken many/any of those guys. Maybe 1 or 2 as you've said LBR. OTOH, I think it's great -- comparing the dinosaur/physical mentality against skill/speed. I have no problem either with big guys that have speed (so why did Buf get benched?) and there are several others I think should have been taken on the USA squad but instead we have a jackass leading the charge as head coach.
- savvyone-1

Torts is only part of it as the coach - there are senior management neanderthals like Brian Burke, Paul Holmgren and Lombardi steering the ship. And that's why there are guys like Dubinsky, Abdelkader and Jack Johnson on the team.

Toews with the PP goal 5-0 Canada

Is it? I doubt anything short of a true top 4 defensemen or a current top 6 forward will get Draisaitl out of Edmonton. They had him penciled in at their 2C, above RNH, and he was playing 1C when McDavid was out. They've got enough 3rd pair defensemen now that they probably wouldn't care about TVR at all.
- L_B_R

Saw a bit of him here and there when McDavid was out too. Played well will Hall. Just speculation in the dog days before preseason... That's all. Otherwise I agree with you on the top 4 Dman.

Toews with the PP goal 5-0 Canada
- ikeane

Toews took a while to get going tonight. I hardly noticed him in the 1st period despite him getting a ton of icetime, but again he has been a PK faceoff machine, made the nice play with Getzlaf on the PP, and great screen on the 6-0 goal. Watching Toews right now, he seems to be skating with a lot of speed.

Kempny definitely looks like he should be the 4th point man for the Hawks PP. (along with Keith/Seabrook/Campbell) He and his his entire team is just over-matched tonight versus Canada, he seems to be a good puck distributor on the PP and was able to gain the zone carrying the puck on the rush. I think there are few times he misread the play, but considering the opponent..

Oh, and Stamkos just can't buy a goal for Team Canada...the chances he has had tonight...

Apparently Schmaltz was resting due to a minor injury.
- L_B_R

Ahhh, thanks. Hopefully, fast recovery.

Hey folks. Not sure if this is beating a dead horse, but are there any alternatives to hockeystreams these days for a local Hawks fan?

Hey folks. Not sure if this is beating a dead horse, but are there any alternatives to hockeystreams these days for a local Hawks fan?
- busmaster

They've been posting streams here: https://www.reddit.com/r/NHLStreams/
just before every game starts. I've found the YouTube ones to be pretty reliable.

Аrpon Basu ‏@ArponBasu 10m10 minutes ago
John Tortorella says Kyle Palmieri, Dustin Byfuglien and Cory Schneider won't be dressed today for Team USA. That's right, Dustin Byfuglien.
- pdx2ord

That's what you get when you put a Moron in charge.

And an ignorance for the skill and talent that the other teams can put on the ice. Torts and Lombardi must think its 1975 and they can play the game like the Philly Flyers did.
- RickJ

Don't forget they got that idiot Burke in their ear as well.

Bright side, they'll lose to Canada, Kaner will be in camp early.

And an ignorance for the skill and talent that the other teams can put on the ice. Torts and Lombardi must think its 1975 and they can play the game like the Philly Flyers did.
- RickJ

No particular reason I quoted you Rick but IMO the US squad, GMed by Lombardi, is trying to emulate the Kings' heavy style. I'm ok with that as we Hawk fans have seen how it can stymie a much more skilled team.

But that robotic structured style the Kings have perfected is tough to duplicate with a group of players thrown together a short time before the tournament starts, plus you need a coach to implement it. That said I'm ok with the style chosen but sitting Buff and Palmieri is nuts.

How can you come in to play smash mouth and sit the most beastly player on earth?

Am I wrong on the 2-0 break Europe had? Kaner is freewheeling towards the left boards at the blueline and Suter instead of "rotating" and switching spots with Kane he goes deeper into the zone leaving the blueline unmanned. Kane gets stripped and off they go on a 2-0.

Sure Kane needs blame for getting stripped but IMO Suter deserves as much, or more, for horrid game recognition and positioning.

Was thinking the same thing. Probably want to switch up the lines and get the scratches into the game.



Top line for Europe is Tatar-Kopitar-Hossa... Like their two way cycle game.....hmmmmmm

Also Nielson is playing well.
- 93Joe

Always liked this guy. His hockey smarts are elite, a fine skater and a good face off man. A poor man's Kopitar/Bergeron/Toews. IMO a near elite 2nd line centerman.

As Melrose mentioned he's a great fit for the Detroilet Red Army.

NHL just posted this:

On Stubhub, you can get into USA/EUR for $12 US. You can sit behind the net for $18. CAN/CZE will cost you $40. Have to imagine those prices will go down closer to gametime when the tickets remain unsold too.

Guess Bettman's money grab isn't quite working out as planned. This is on a WEEKEND.
- pdx2ord

Caught my eye right away, the empty seats. With fans jonesing for hockey you'd think they'd come out for a best on best tournament even if your side isn't playing.

Maddening coaching decisions! As bad as that seemed to be, looking gassed more times then not, we were still a post away from getting out of the first round. That's how good this team was then. Boy are we spoiled! And for the Blues fans, that was their Stanley Cup!
- Matt_Foleys_bro

And that's why StanBowPops&McD plowed 70% of their assets into 20% of their roster, the core. The theory being they're never too far off from going very deep. A group that had so much going against them were inches from advancing.

Caught my eye right away, the empty seats. With fans jonesing for hockey you'd think they'd come out for a best on best tournament even if your side isn't playing.
- Mr Ricochet

ESPN's ratings for the tournament probably won't be good under any circumstance.

If the US loses to Canada Tuesday nite, and loses all chance to get to the semis....

ESPN's ratings for the tournament probably won't be good under any circumstance.

If the US loses to Canada Tuesday nite, and loses all chance to get to the semis....
- StLBravesFan

Canada Vs Russia final will save the day

TT?? https://www.wch2016.com/n...c-281810856?tid=281231174

TERAVAINEN DEALING WITH DISAPPOINTMENT -- He's not sure yet what the lineup will be in the tournament opener Sunday, but for now Team Finland center Teuvo Teravainen knows the signs are not pointing him to where he wants to be.

Teravainen did not play against Team USA on Tuesday and he was not on a line in practice Wednesday.

"I was actually the eighth [defenseman]," Teravainen said. "That's not where I want to be."

Teravainen played in the first two pretournament games but was underwhelming in a combined 23:47 of ice time, with zero points, one shot on goal and a minus-1 rating. Sebastian Aho, who was scratched for the first two games, was on Team Finland's top line with Barkov and Patrik Laine by the third period against Team USA.

"Of course I want to be part of the team and show myself," Teravainen said. "I think I can be good for this team and help this team to win games, so I want to be playing. But it's up to the coaches."

Teravainen said he is surprised that he is the 13th forward.

"I feel like I'm in good shape," he said. "I had a good summer and I'm pretty excited about the season, so that's why it's a little disappointing I'm not playing. But I have to be ready to play every night."

No particular reason I quoted you Rick but IMO the US squad, GMed by Lombardi, is trying to emulate the Kings' heavy style. I'm ok with that as we Hawk fans have seen how it can stymie a much more skilled team.

But that robotic structured style the Kings have perfected is tough to duplicate with a group of players thrown together a short time before the tournament starts, plus you need a coach to implement it. That said I'm ok with the style chosen but sitting Buff and Palmieri is nuts.

How can you come in to play smash mouth and sit the most beastly player on earth?

Am I wrong on the 2-0 break Europe had? Kaner is freewheeling towards the left boards at the blueline and Suter instead of "rotating" and switching spots with Kane he goes deeper into the zone leaving the blueline unmanned. Kane gets stripped and off they go on a 2-0.

Sure Kane needs blame for getting stripped but IMO Suter deserves as much, or more, for horrid game recognition and positioning.
- Mr Ricochet

A few thoughts on your comments:

1) Putting a team together to play LA Kings style in a short tournament like this is very risky. The very good NHL refs will call more of the hooks and holds and cheap shots than they do in a regular NHL game. Team USA taking way too many penalties to be successful, when they are in the box Kane is sitting on the bench twiddling his thumbs.

2) Did Lombardi think he had Kopitar, Doughty, Gaborik and Carter playing for Team USA? Take those guys off the Kings and they are an AHL team. Kane and Pavelski are very, very good skill players but Wheeler, JVR and Pacioretty also have to play big as skill guys. The likes of Dubinsky, Stepan, Parise, Backes, Kesler, Oshie etc. really don't scare anybody best on best.

3) I can only assume Lombardi and Torts figured they could get into a 2 out of 3 final vs Canada (or anybody else) and beat them into submission physically and win with great goaltending. In a way I don't blame them because best on best the talent and skill differential is quite large and when they were selecting players they had to think Carter, Keith, Seguin, Taylor Hall and Letang would be playing for Canada and they aren't.

4) Probably sat Palmieri because of stupid penalties playing the tough guy which he isn't. Sitting Buff was totally ridiculous.

5) The Kane 2 on 0 turnover was real bad but there were many other odd man rushes and bad play by the U.S. in that game. Even Quick couldn't save them.

ESPN's ratings for the tournament probably won't be good under any circumstance.

If the US loses to Canada Tuesday nite, and loses all chance to get to the semis....
- StLBravesFan

Indeed, but if that high wire act that is Team North America emerges that will be a helluva story and create tons of interest.

Indeed, but if that high wire act that is Team North America emerges that will be a helluva story and create tons of interest.
- Mr Ricochet

More like "pounds of interest" - it's hockey, and a tournament that most sports fans have never heard of.